JONESBORO (AP) — Michael Stutman’s three children have gone to sleep with teddy bears the past four nights.

They were among guests at a Newtown, Conn., town hall toy give-away Dec. 23, where rows of tables held toys donated from manufacturers and communities across the nation.

“Just about every (bear) that I saw said ‘from Jonesboro, Arkansas,”’ Stutman said. “The event itself had kind of a magical air to it.”

At least 100 Newtown residents attended the party that night. Stutman saw “a lot of smiles on kids faces,” a sight more treasured since Dec. 14, when a gunman shot and killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Adam Lanza also killed his mother before the rampage and later took his own life, raising the death toll to 28.

Stutman interpreted the happiness he sees this holiday season as “signs of light” during a dark time.

“All the support and love we feel have been a good thing in getting everybody moving forward,” he said.

“I brought it home,” Jennifer said. “Thank you so much for sending that stuffed animal. It was so kind, generous and thoughtful. ... I’m having a good Christmas because I feel safe and happy.”

Jennifer’s mother, Donna, said, “We’re very cognizant of the fact that people care. ... It’s amazing; kindness after kindness.”

Jennifer picked her present from “a big mountain of stuffed animals.”

Stutman said there were “seemingly thousands of stuffed animals donated by (the Jonesboro) community. ... I just wanted to express the love and appreciation of my family and my community to the good people who were responsible for this,” he said.

The stuffed animals from Jonesboro were “hugged, kissed, and they had a note attached to them,” Pam Herring said. Herring, whose daughter Paige Ann Herring was killed in the Westside shooting nearly 15 years ago, helped organize Project Teddy Bear.

The project pulled in 6,150 stuffed animals, all of them sent to Newtown.

“We have a connection to them that is very unique,” Herring said. “We wanted to let them know that they are not alone. As a community we really shine. ... We already knew it, but now we actually see it.”

Herring said she knew the gifts will not alleviate the pain, “but it helps.”

Stutman confirmed that the gifts help.

“In addition to an incredible outpouring from places like Jonesboro, a lot of people in town are trying to take action to help,” he said.

Stutman said a family neighbor ordered and sold wristbands to benefit families of victims, and community members are raising awareness about the effects of violent video games.